Dwyane Wade did score 18 points to lead the Bulls, but Jimmy Butler was limited to just 14 points on 7-21 shooting.

The Celtics, their lead chopped to 44-41 at the break, worked their advantage gradually back up with a strong third quarter, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Thomas and eight of Horford's point total.

The Bulls said Rondo underwent a subsequent exam and X-rays confirmed the thumb fracture. The Bulls found out late Thursday that the thumb was fractured, and Rondo was ruled out indefinitely.

Jerian Grant started the game and scored six points with one rebound.

As players gushed about what Garnett's video message did to inspire the team, there was a renewed swagger about the Celtics. We know what we're capable of. But damn. I mean, we wish we had him, but we don't.

But Rondo's loss is significant. There had been an anticipation and an excitement as the top-seeded Celtics prepared for the start of the postseason, but the mood of the team understandably shifted when All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas' sister died in a auto accident on the eve of the first-round opener against the Chicago Bulls.

Isaiah [Thomas] played a clip from KG before the game, and it kind of got us going a little bit.

"We can't change the way we're approaching things right now because one of our star players is out. We need everybody to be good". "For us, in the first two games, we didn't handle it well when they went on a run".

"He is obviously our No. 1 pace guy". The All-Star point guard also did not attempt a single free throw for just the third time all season. That alleviated placing that responsibility on Butler, who plays such an important offensive role.

As for Rondo, he did make presence felt early. "Rajon's experience in these types of settings is invaluable". Again, we've been through this.

"We're going to miss him", Butler told media on Friday. "It's going to have to be the same with Rajon out now".

"I had to do a better job of trusting my teammates for 48 minutes", Westbrook said.

As Isaiah Thomas prepares for Game 3 in the National Basketball Association playoffs first-round series, he has New England's own king of comebacks in his corner. "I truly appreciate all of the support you've shown me the past several days and thank you for respecting my privacy as I continue to grieve and heal with my loved ones at this time".

"Like I said, it was a reminder of Celtics family". "It's not about me". "For us, in the first two games, we didn't handle it well when they went on a run". We've got to make sure that they're comfortable.

Chris Paul scored 13 of his 34 points in the final four minutes to seal the game, after Clippers power forward Blake Griffin sprained his toe in the third quarter and did not return to the game.